D. Smith is one of the most sought-after producers/songwriters in the music industry, and has worked with heavyweights including Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne and Ciara.

The two-time Grammy Award winner is also the first transgender person to ever appear on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” — and says she’s proud of the distinction.

“I realized that the more trans people who are in the light will create awareness for trans people,” says the 30-something Smith, who grew up in Brooklyn. “We are all just trying to live, and it’s great to have this platform, so I’m very happy to be on the show.”

Smith’s journey to success, however, was not easy. She’s overcome many hardships in her life, including homelessness and the pressures of living in a religious family — and knowing, from an early age, that something about her was different.

“Growing up in a black family which was very conservative, you have to abide by the rules — and the rules were you are not going to be a ‘trans’ anything,” she says. “I knew [something was different] when I was 7 years old, which was the first time I kissed a guy. But reality set in, so I had to suppress it. I even went as far as dating girls, which were some of the worst times of my life because it was complete dysphoria. I was totally insecure; I didn’t know how to walk, hold [a girl’s] hand or hug her when she was upset.”

Even though Smith is now happy in her own skin, she says she does have some regrets.

“At the end of the day, I was manipulating people into thinking that I was happy and [that] I was this straight person who was turned on by them. And it was all a lie,” she says. “I am ashamed that that person was not strong enough to just say, ‘I am going to live my life.’ The only way I was going to be successful is to let my light shine.”

This August will mark the two-year point in Smith’s transitioning into a woman — and she says it’s an ongoing situation.

“Transitioning never ends. I will be transitioning until I die,” she says. “People have different goals in their transitioning, so I think that I’m still on my journey and I am grateful that I started.”

There has been some criticism of Smith from her “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” cast mates Lil Scrappy and Waka Flocka Flame. But Smith says she’s not letting the rappers’ words affect her.

“Their opinions do not hurt my feelings,” she says. “My problem is that there are little elementary school girls who have friends or peers that may hear [the criticism] and go over the edge, commit suicide or get beat up that day,” she says. “If you do not have anything positive to say, it would help not to say anything. We’re fighting a real fight, both spiritual and physically. I want [Lil Scrappy and Waka Flocka Flame] to be a little more conscious with their words because they do have a platform.

“This is one of the reasons I chose to do ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta.’ This is the demographic that people need to see the most,” she says. “Fifteen years from now, some trans girl is going to have it so much easier than I did because I helped out.”